Preganglionic nerve fibers
Preganglionic nerve fibers
Preganglionic nerve fibers (pronunciation: pre-gang-glee-on-ic nerve fi-bers) are the axons of neurons located in the central nervous system that project to the autonomic ganglia. These fibers are part of the autonomic nervous system, which controls involuntary body functions such as heart rate, digestion, and respiratory rate.
Etymology
The term "preganglionic" is derived from the Latin "pre-" meaning "before", and "ganglion" meaning "a mass of nerve tissue". The term "nerve fibers" refers to the long, slender projections of nerve cells, or neurons.
Function
Preganglionic nerve fibers carry signals from the central nervous system to the autonomic ganglia. These signals are then relayed to various organs and tissues in the body, regulating their function. The fibers are classified as either sympathetic or parasympathetic, depending on their function and location in the body.
Related Terms
- Postganglionic nerve fibers: These are the nerve fibers that carry signals from the autonomic ganglia to the target organs or tissues.
- Autonomic nervous system: This is the part of the nervous system that controls involuntary body functions.
- Sympathetic nervous system: This is the part of the autonomic nervous system that prepares the body for action, often referred to as the "fight or flight" response.
- Parasympathetic nervous system: This is the part of the autonomic nervous system that calms the body down, often referred to as the "rest and digest" response.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Preganglionic nerve fibers
- Wikipedia's article - Preganglionic nerve fibers
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